Tesla's South Buffalo factory, originally built for solar panel manufacturing, has installed Chinese-made solar panels on its own roof, according to recently disclosed state documents.
Following a successful Freedom of Information Law appeal, state officials confirmed that Tesla is using panels manufactured by LONGi Green Energy Technology, one of China's largest solar module producers, to power its New York facility.
The installation, costing approximately $10 million, will cover the entire factory roof by year's end and generate 7.5 megawatts of electricity, meeting about 30 percent of the facility's power needs. The factory itself was constructed using $959 million in taxpayer funds.
This revelation highlights Tesla's shift away from domestic solar manufacturing. While the South Buffalo facility continues to assemble Solar Roof tiles, the company now relies on foreign-made components for its solar products. Tesla's panels are reportedly manufactured by a Korean firm, while its Solar Roof materials have been traced to Chinese origins.
The choice of LONGi panels has raised concerns due to import restrictions under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The federal law restricts imports from China's Xinjiang region due to forced labor concerns. Recent studies have linked LONGi to materials sourced from companies in the Xinjiang region, though the company's direct involvement with forced labor remains unclear.
The state agency owning the factory, Fort Schuyler Management Corp., initially refused to disclose the manufacturer's identity, claiming it was a "trade secret." They later revealed the information following an appeal.
Industry experts note that Tesla's use of Chinese panels reflects broader market realities. According to Johnny Weiss, co-founder of Solar Energy International, China dominates global solar module manufacturing, making it challenging for other countries to compete.
Tesla and LONGi representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding the panel installation and sourcing decisions.